The Charisma Myth: How to Engage, Influence and Motivate People

by Olivia Fox Cabane

Another way to make people feel special as you roam about the stage is to give one to two seconds of eye contact per person.

He told himself that the people he was presenting to were his angels, gathered here to work together.

First, retain at least a certain measure of equanimity.

Second, express high expectations. Sometimes, simply assigning to people the labels you want them to live up to is enough.

You Become a Magnet for Praise as Well as Envy

“You know, I have to tell you…” or “I have to admit…” are good preambles. ♦ Prepare the terrain by saying “I’m feeling a bit nervous about saying this, but…”

“If you’re going in the right direction, you’ll get there faster. In the wrong direction, charisma will also help you get there faster.

Charisma has a few possible downsides: you can become the target of envy and resentment, others can reveal too much during your interactions, you are held to a higher standard, it can be lonely at the top, and charisma may work even when it shouldn’t.